Rearing to go

Set construction is piecing together. The costumes are all name-tagged and in the process of being given their final adjustment. Props are all put aside. Rehearsals are in full swing - mornings, afternoons and evenings, on stage and in the concert rooms. The usual tension is all there but the many protagonists, of varying ways, are bent in two to 'have it all set' for Thursday's first 'sipario' of Rigoletto.

These are the very last days before the curtain rises on the Astra's double representation of the opera, which is meant to bring to life the horrifying story in quite a contemporary fashion. The excitement can be felt, from stagehands to main artistes, for this production is meant to leave an immediate impact on the audience through a particular choice of staging that is not entirely familiar. But the cat will be left in the bag for now ...

In the meantime, Festival Mediterranea kicked off yesterday, with an 18^th Century British Pipe Organ Recital by British Organist Richard Vendome. This first, in a series of several concerts, was held at Aula Mgr Farrugia at the St George's Basilica complex, free of charge.

A double-appointment is for today, a lunchtime concert (12.30hrs), again held at the Aula Mgr Farrugia with the participation of a Trio made up of Laura Armani (soprano), Paolo Marcante (clarinet) and Anna Tamiozzo (piano), and an evening concert, starting at 8pm, featuring the Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi Ensemble who will perform a choice of Vivaldi works at St George's Basilica.

Tomorrow's appointment starts at 8pm at the Aula Mgr Farrugia, with a vocal recital featuring soprano Amy Weber and pianist Richard Vendome.

All these concerts are being held free of charge, as part of Festival Mediterranea (8^th edition).

The festival highlight remains the opera Rigoletto, staged on Thursday 29 and Saturday 31 October 2009, with various ticket options available, including student tickets. Call now on 21550985/99883007.

 24/10/2009